Lent Family Outreach

As parents, we know the best way to influence our children is to include them as we live out our personal faith and values. They learn so much by watching us and there are so many ways to include them in the things we care about. We hope these opportunities provide you ways to observe a holy Lent in service to others as a family.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Donate books and pillow pals (Squishmallows)

Donate a new book or pillow pal to be delivered to the children and teenagers receiving a new bed, mattress, and bedding from the SJD all-church bed build in April. We will receive donations through Easter Sunday in Sumners Hall.

Sign up to donate  Amazon wish list

Amistad Mission, Cochabama, Bolivia
Write notes, send cards, pray, or join a Zoom visit with kids in La Villa

Casa Amanecer is a home within the children’s village fully supported by the generosity of SJD. There are several ways to connect with them

• Use the included prayer cards and photos of children living in Casa Amanecer to pray, write a note, or a birthday card.  Notes and cards should be delivered to the Children’s Ministry mailbox located in Sumners Hall by Easter.
• Join the Lenten Devotional email distribution list for Mission Amistad and pray at home with us.
• Virtually visit the children of Casa Amanecer on one of our monthly Zoom visits. The children love visits from friends of all ages! To join a Zoom call, contact Deanna Lawson for a Zoom invite and access. Dates for upcoming Zoom Visits are:
  
  – February 22 — 7 pm Bolivian Time (5 pm Central Standard Time)
  – March 21 — 7 pm Bolivian Time (6 pm Central Daylight Savings Time)

Kids Meals
Assemble lunch packs or bag decorating

Assemble lunch packs for hungry children from home using pre-packaged, nonperishable foods from the following approved list. You may assemble as many bags as you like including one item from each category (drink, snack, protein, fruit). You may decorate the bag as well! Please do not include any homemade or fresh items and do not staple the bags.

• Drink: small (8oz) water bottle, shelf-stable white milk, 100% juice box
• Snack: Annie’s Whole Wheat Bunnies, granola or protein bars, Pirate’s Booty, pretzels, or cheese crackers
• Protein: Yum butter with crackers, single-serve peanut or almond butter pack with pretzels, peanut butter crackers, mini can of Vienna Sausage, chicken, turkey or beef jerky/sticks, canned tuna or chicken salad pack
• Fruit: fruit cups, applesauce, apple chips, fruit snacks, fruit rope, fruit crisps, GoGo Squeeze applesauce packs

You can also decorate and donate brown lunch bags. Kids Meals needs over 1.7 million bags a year! Purchase a pack of standard brown lunch bags and unleash your inner artist! Decorate with markers, crayons, stickers, stamps, riddles, jokes, mazes, and encouragement. (No glitter, glue, or staples please.) Bags will be filled with food and delivered to children.

We will receive donations of lunch packs and decorated bags in Sumners Hall through Easter.

BEAR (Be a Resource Houston)
Assemble hygiene packs

Assemble necessities into gallon Ziplock bags to support the health and comfort of children transitioning into the care of Child Protective Services (CPS).

Boy and Girl Hygiene Packs

Include 1 full-size of each product:

• 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner
• Bar soap
• Individual, soft toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Gallon Ziplock bag

Baby Hygiene Packs

• Baby lotion
• Baby shampoo/wash
• Baby powder
• Desitin or diaper cream
• Gallon Ziplock bag

Please bring your donated hygiene packs to Sumners Hall through Easter.